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Actions/Inactions: Doubt

(*Originally prepared for a junior high audience at First Baptist Hesperia.) Doubt is not sin: it is the fight for belief soon followed by a decision: will I believe God who is Truth, or will I become the reference point for that which is true?

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Transcript of Actions/Inactions: Doubt

When you age, the same things do not go away, they only change form... and there's a lot more of them... The world only gets bigger, not smallerand it gives you a chance to see thebigness of God and his world,to be lost in worship...a freedom ofself-forgetfulnessTeen Issues are Life IssuesActions/InactionsPractices/HabitsGo down a little deeper, and you find the perspective: the way in which you view the world we inhabit... this is very hard to know until you are confronted with opposing views.The PerspectiveTypical worldly perspectives:This is it/all that mattersGod's job is to be niceGod wants me to be niceNobody cares

Typical Christian perspectivesGod is good, perfect, ableWe are destined for moreWe have failedChrist has succeededEven deeper than the perspective is the god you worship...The god(s)There are only two options:

1. SELF

2. YHWHThese are usually only visible beneath the surface, through good conversation or soul searching...

But occasionally they pop up out of the water--what do you argue about/what do you get excited about?Values/PassionsTypical worldly passions:SecurityPleasureFavor

Typical Christian passions:HumilityServiceLoveGod-honorWorship of self can look quite different depending on which idol you use to serve yourself... Idols are typically GOOD things, made into an ultimate thing. Family, friends, behavior, talent, animals, food, money, sex, peace, pleasure, etc.Why do I do things I do?Worship.These are visible above the surfacesubjectivism/untruthI know the way things should beA self-defined vocabulary:Love = makes me feel good... truth = what feels 'right'...God = the gift-giver... human = perfectly fineRejection of GodWorrytruthGod is the source of all goodness, beauty, truth, and life... he is powerful and wise; and he declares the way things areA God-defined vocabulary:

Love = choosing the best for the other even if it hurts me or my relationship with them...

Truth = whatever is properly aligned to God

God = holy; the creator and sustainer of all, eternal and infinite in goodness and glory, wisdom and power

Human = finite beings endowed with responsibility of representing God upon the earth, but fallenRejection of my idolatrous notions/ incorrect thoughts, wants, and behavior; self-forgetful worship of God and love of othersat the moment of sin there is always faithlessness:at that moment...you don't believe God is Godyou do believe something elsedoubt is the fight, the struggle between God and false gods. Doubt is not unbelief, it is the belief that something is worth believing. The benefit of doubt brings questions your assumptions. Assumptions that may need to change, and if they don't change, they are all the more yours because you have fought, protected, and defended them from thieves.It always comes back to Who God is & what he has done.The world around us points to reality (Rom.1, Ps.19)We trust him as a loving father (Mt.6)and just judge (Gen.18) and holy King (Is.6)and victorious warrior (Rev.19)